Culture
2023 Athena Award nominations accepted through Sept. 1
By: Emily Votaw
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Nominations are open through tomorrow for the ninth annual Athena Award, which recognizes those who have significantly improved the lives of people with disabilities through advocacy, volunteerism, innovation, and more. The Athena Award is presented by the Athens City Commission on Disabilities and the City of Athens.
Submissions can be made through the official City of Athens website or by contacting the Mayor’s Office.
The 2023 Athena Award will be presented November 1, 5 – 6 p.m. at the Athens Community Center. The public event’s attendance is encouraged. Mitzi Lou’s is catering sandwiches and subs.
WOUB conducted a brief Q&A with Davey McNelly, Chairperson of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities, about the Athena Award.
WOUB:
How would you explain the Athena Award to someone who was unfamiliar with it?
Davey McNelly:
The Athena Award goes to someone or an organization that has significantly impacted the disabled community positively. It’s the only award given out by the City of Athens at this time, and the Disabilities Commission receives nominations and votes on finalists and the recipient, sending the nominees to the Mayor to formally choose the winner. The recipient can be someone with a disability who has done a lot of work to advocate for change, someone who made something more accessible, or someone who has increased inclusiveness in Athens.
WOUB:
Why is it so important to recognize the kinds of community members and community organizations that the Athena Award recognizes?
Davey McNelly:
It’s important to recognize people who make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities because often we, as a marginalized group, are segregated from society in a number of ways. Buildings are not made accessible. Leadership positions aren’t given to people with disabilities. People are often not invited to participate due to fear or worry about the “extra work”. This award recognizes those people that break down segregation and barriers for people with disabilities. Often those people, especially people with disabilities, are not recognized for the work they are doing.
WOUB:
Do you feel any aspects of the Athena Award have changed since its inception?
Davey McNelly:
The event has gotten much bigger. COVID made us switch to virtual for a couple of years, but otherwise, we have continued to receive more and more nominees and get more and more community support.
“It’s important to recognize people who make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities because often we, as a marginalized group, are segregated from society in a number of ways. Buildings are not made accessible. Leadership positions aren’t given to people with disabilities. People are often not invited to participate due to fear or worry about the “extra work”. This award recognizes those people that break down segregation and barriers for people with disabilities. Often those people, especially people with disabilities, are not recognized for the work they are doing.” – Davey McNelly – Chairperson of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities
WOUB:
How does the Commission determine who receives the Athena Award each year? It must be difficult to make that call depending on the kinds of nominations you receive.
Davey McNelly:
We get a lot of great nominees every year, and often have many deserving candidates. We also recognize finalists, like at the Oscars! We want to celebrate the work, and celebrate our community more than anything, and that’s what this event is about.